Event co-founder Lori Banaszak, administrator of technology integration for Clarkston Community Schools, said she and Laura Kalinowski, a teacher at Clarkston High School, came up with the idea three years ago as a way to introduce their young, female students to STEM areas.

“The first year was great, lots of positive feedback,” Banaszak said.

This year’s event will offer girls the chance to earn a Girl Scout badge for completing projects.

Projects include:

• ”Foundry in a Box” metal casting

• Robot fun with Clarkston’s award-winning robotics team, Team RUSH

• Water bottle rockets and chalk art

• ”Think Green” garden activities

• Lego projects, sponsored by Brick It Up

• A MakerSpace, sponsored by the Independence Township Library

• Experiments with wind

• Art making

• Tech projects, like emoticon and GIF creations

Banaszak said she thinks the event is a success with participants because it gives girls a chance to learn in a hands-on environment.

“It’s all hands-on,” she said. “It’s not someone talking to them about it. I think that’s one of the biggest draws with the girls.”